A HEART FOR HEAVEN

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    There are three heavens:  where the birds fly, where the planets revolve, and where God resides.

 

B.    However, when we hear the word “heaven,” the only one that really comes to our mind is the eternal abode of God.

 

C.    We attach many things to heaven:

1.    The Godhead

2.    The throne of God

3.    Angels

4.    The redeemed

5.    No sin

6.    No sorrow

7.    Rest

8.    Eternity

 

D.    Who wants to go to heaven?  Almost everyone will say, “Yes,” to that question.

 

E.    It will not happen by accident.  To go there, a person develop “A Heart for Heaven.”  In this lesson, let’s examine some of the traits a person who has a heart for heaven possesses.

 

I.             A HEART THAT SEES PASSED THE TEMPORAL

 

A.    We do not use the word “temporal” very often today. 

1.    It simply means that which is temporary.

2.    When we use it, we are referring to this present world and the things that are in it.

 

B.    The world holds a lot of things that are beautiful, interesting, challenging, and fun to those of us who live here.

 

C.    However, regardless of the pull of the world, the heart for heaven must see passed the intrigue of all that is earthly.

1.    2 Corinthians 4:18

 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

2.    Colossians 3:1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

II.          A HEART THAT YEARNS FOR HOME

 

A.    When my mother and Kathleen’s mothers were still living, Memphis, TN and Jackson, TN felt like home.

1.    We looked forward to Thanksgiving.

2.    Celebrations of Christmas were filled with excitement.

3.    Part of the thrill was because we were going home.

 

B.    This is how the Christian’s heart should feel about heaven.

1.    Heaven is supposed to be our home.

2.    Philippians 3:20

 

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.    This was the heart that the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had.  The Hebrew writer speaks of their desires in Hebrews 11:16.

 

But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly:  wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:  for he hath prepared for them a city.

 

III.        A HEART THAT LONGS FOR GOD

 

A.    NOTE:  Longing for heaven because it is our home is not easy for any of us.  Why?  Because we have never been to that place.  We only know of it through faith. 

1.    The key to home is not the place.  The key is the person.

2.    Ex., my mom moved from the only home I knew growing up to a house in Rossville, TN.  Although I never personally lived there, that house was home.  Why?  Because that’s where my mother was.

 

B.    Thus, to truly long for heaven, we must long for God.

1.    Psalm 42:2

 

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:  when shall I come and appear before God?

 

2.    It should be easier to long for God than it is to desire heaven.

a.    God is a real being.

b.    God is our creator.

c.     God is our redeemer.

d.    God loves us.

e.    God provides for us.

f.     God protects us.

g.    God comforts us.

 

C.    Remember:  The key to home is not the place, but a person.  For the Christian, that being is God.

 

IV.         A HEART THAT IS FULL OF FAITH

 

A.    Heaven is a promise of God.

1.    Matthew 5:12

 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

2.    Matthew 6:20

 

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…

 

3.    Philippians 3:10

 

For our conversation is in heaven…

 

4.    Colossians 1:5

 

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.

 

5.    Hebrews 10:34

 

…knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

 

6.    1 Peter 1:4

 

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

 

B.    To obtain it requires a heart full of faith.

1.    Our faith has to embrace the promise of God regarding heaven.

a.    We believe heaven will be our ultimate reward.

b.    We do not doubt or waver about that at all.

2.    Our faith is obedient to God since this is what it takes to enter into our heavenly abode (Rev. 22:14).

 

Bless are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

V.           A HEART GIVEN TO OVERCOMING

 

A.    The word “overcome” is from the Greek word “nikao.”

1.    It is the word from which we get the term “Nike.”

2.    It means victory over the adversary.

3.    It means holding fast one’s faith until death over the power of the foes, temptations, and persecutions.

 

B.    Fifteen times in the Revelation the Greek word “nikao” is used.

1.    Everyone of the seven churches is given a promise from God if they overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

2.    The Key Verse of Revelation, Revelation 17:14, contains this word.

 

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them:  for he is Lord of lord and King of kings:  and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

3.    The last time the word is found in the book is in Revelation 21:7

 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

 

C.    The person who has a heart for heaven fights.

The person who has a heart for heaven never gives in or up.

The person who has a heart for heaven seeks victory.

 

VI.         A HEART THAT SEEKS REWARD

 

A.    There are many people in our world who will do difficult things, things that require a lot of time and training, in order to obtain a reward.

1.    NFL players work hard to get a Super Bowl ring.

2.    Olympians put in a lot of time and effort to bring home a gold medal.

3.    Tennis stars labor diligently in order to receive trophies on the big stages of Australia, France, England, and America.

4.    Actors and performers labor years to get a Grammy or Emmy award.

 

B.    The Bible tells us that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6).  Thus, we are exhorted in scripture to obtain our reward.

1.    Hebrews 10:35

 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

 

2.    2 John 8

 

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

 

C.    One of the rewards that will be given to us is a crown.

1.    It is an incorruptible crown (1 Cor. 9:25).

2.    It is called a “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8).

3.    It is called a “crown of life” (James 1:25).

4.    It is called a “crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4).

 

D.    Can you imagine standing before the throne of Jesus Christ in the last day to receive your crown.  My friend, you will have obtained it if you have a heart that seeks a reward.

 

VII.       A HEART THAT ENJOYS PRAISE

 

A.    One of the components of heaven involves the praise of the Almighty.

 

B.    In Revelation 4, John gets a glimpse into the throne room of God.

1.    In verse 8, we learn of the four beasts that surround the throne.  Verse 9 tells us that they “give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne…”

2.    In verse 10, the four and twenty elders that also surround the throne “fall down before the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever…”

3.    In chapter 5, we read about the innumerable company of angels about the throne of God.  They cry of saying:  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (v. 12).

4.    And in Revelation 5:13 every creature cries out, saying:  “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne…”

 

C.    Those who have a heart for heaven understand that heaven will be an assembly of praise to God.

1.    Singing and worshipping God are a joy to their hearts.

2.    They praise God here, and they earnestly desire to be part of that celestial, eternal worship of God in heaven.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Heaven is a wonderful place.

 

B.    To get there, however, we must have “A Heart for Heaven.”

1.    A heart that sees passed the temporal.

2.    A heart that yearns for home.

3.    A heart that longs for God.

4.    A heart that is full of faith.

5.    A heart that is given to overcoming.

6.    A heart that seeks reward

7.    A heart that enjoys praise.

 

C.    Heaven is more than a place.  It’s a person.  Will you be in that place with that person?